PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had met with companies from Silicon Valley Technology as they urged investors to likewise discuss potential partnerships to be able to harness the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, especially to upskill the Filipino workers.
DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual met with the Silicon Valley Technology officials on Nov. 15, as he highlighted the programs and initiatives that were undertaken by the Philippine government to support the advancement of AI technology.
“Fostering a future-ready workforce is a collaborative effort that should be undertaken by both public and private stakeholders. Since these digitalization efforts demand a shared responsibility, it is imperative that an alliance be formed that capitalizes on the strengths of both sectors. As the government employs a whole-of-society approach, we urge our partners from the local and global industry to work with us in ensuring an inclusive economic development,” Pascual said.
Pascual also said that the Philippines’ implementation of the AI roadmap, is an expected to drive innovation, create new products and upskill the country’s workforce.
Likewise, he said that the AI policies and technologies are expected to augment labor instead of replacing it.
This will lead to an increased hiring and the emergence of new tasks.
Pascual also said that the AI has the potential to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable industrial development in the Philippines.
The Philippines is positioning itself as a "Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence," to which 50 tech startups using AI and 83 percent of Southeast Asian countries actively developing AI strategies.
In addition, he emphasized that the country’s National AI Strategy is focused on improving the lives of the population, boosting enterprise productivity, and enhancing economic competitiveness.
The DTI chief presented four strategic dimensions for the implementation of this National AI strategy -- digitalization and infrastructure; workforce development; regulation; and research and development (R&D).
